building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a usually roofed and walled structure built for permanent use (as for a dwelling)

2

: the art or business of assembling materials into a structure

Synonyms

• structure
• house
• edifice

Examples of building in a Sentence

My office is in that small brick building.

We bought the land for building.

Recent Examples on the Web

The festival will involve more than 50 activities that center upon tinkering, including creating machines with raw materials, exploring artistic techniques and engaging in numerous crafting and building options. —Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025

Everyone’s voice matters, and everyone is expected to contribute—not just creatively, but in building and sustaining the project as a whole. —Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025

Vox Dei depicts these 100-year old images in a new light — literally, which is a fitting way to celebrate the centennial of the building, Roberson said. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

On Monday, Nepali protesters set fire to several buildings, including the Parliament House. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing building

• apartment building
• building block
• building society
• sick building syndrome
• world building

Rhymes for building

• gilding
• boatbuilding
• outbuilding
• rebuilding
• roadbuilding
• shipbuilding
• upbuilding
• bodybuilding

Kids Definition

building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a permanent structure built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity or for storage

an office building

2

: the art, work, or business of assembling materials into a structure